Opting for Seneca Park Zoo:
Being a Rochester local, Seneca Park Zoo, house to almost 100 other species, has all the time been my house zoo. A few years in the past, Dr. Chris McKinney, who had labored on the small animal GP my circle of relatives pets see, transitioned from reduction veterinarian to full-time zoo veterinarian. So, as a veterinary scholar very a lot fascinated about a occupation in zoo drugs, I reached out. And for the previous couple of years, as my agenda allowed, I went in for a couple of days right here and there to shadow. This previous iciness, my agenda after all unfolded lengthy sufficient to facilitate a ~3-week externship, and I took complete benefit!
Standard Day:
Canada lynx receiving anesthetized bodily examination and survey radiographs.
On a daily basis on the zoo began off in a similar fashion sufficient – evaluation the former days’ keeper experiences for the entire animals housed on the zoo, test in on hospitalized animals within the health facility (if there have been any), after which test on any of the animals that had an issue (giant or small) flagged of their experiences.
Past that, there used to be no “standard day” – which for me, makes zoo drugs so interesting and any such distinctive problem. A couple of days have been spent operating via deliberate procedures – an anesthetized complete bodily/radiographs on a Canada Lynx, annual assessments for the Burmese pythons, and so forth. Others we’d in finding ourselves bouncing between shows as quite a lot of questions/considerations from the keepers would stand up right through the day. Others but, we’d have a slightly quiet afternoon – permitting me to take complete good thing about the veterinary library or evaluation literature to replace protocols upfront of the zoo’s AZA accreditation renewal this spring.
And whilst there used to be no standard day, the revel in as an entire used to be reflective of what will also be anticipated with a occupation in zoo drugs – a stability of forms/conferences, talking with keepers, gazing the animals, and the true hands-on scientific paintings with the animals.
Olive baboon receiving laser treatment remedy
Favourite Reminiscences:
Having realized such a lot and labored with such a lot of unbelievable other people and animals, it’s not possible to pare it down to at least one favourite reminiscence or revel in. From laser treatment on a baboon, to blood attracts on a bearded dragon, to comparing lameness on a grey wolf, I were given to do and notice such a lot. However, a few of my non-public highlights incorporated the visits to the giraffe barn, operating with the ocean lions, and Loki (a home rat).
About 2 weeks prior to my externship, the zoo introduced the delivery of a giraffe calf. And alternatively, simply 2 days prior to my externship, the zoo introduced the delivery of a 2d giraffe calf. And naturally, whilst the calves have been extremely lovable and a pleasure to watch, following Kipenzi’s case (some of the moms) used to be in particular memorable. This previous summer season, Kipenzi used to be discovered to have a mass on her jaw that used to be biopsied and showed to be squamous cellular carcinoma (SCC). Kipenzi’s care comprises scheduled radiographs to evaluate development and the applying of an immunostimulant as a chemotherapeutic.
Running with the ocean lions used to be some other spotlight for me. Throughout my externship, there used to be a flare-up in corneal pathologies. With the ocean lions receiving such intensive coaching and already being conditioned to obtain eye-drops day-to-day, I were given to have a extra hands-on position on this case which used to be very rewarding. It additionally resulted in discussions between myself and the veterinary staff on corneal control for sea lions – one thing we hope to probably discover as a analysis learn about someday.
Feeding/coaching consultation with California Sea lions through which we also are ready to inspect their eyes.
And finally there’s Loki the home rat – some of the few sufferers who didn’t briefly scurry away upon the veterinary staff’s arrival. Loki had at the beginning offered for a small mass on his cheek which used to be tired and debrided. We made a number of follow-up visits to evaluate his wound because it healed, and Loki, who favored to climb up our palms and perch on our shoulders all through his re-checks, briefly turned into a favourite affected person of mine.
Suggestions:
As cliche as it’s going to sound, my largest piece of recommendation is to benefit from any alternative that comes your approach – be it small animal, huge animal, exotics, or zoo! The entire zoo/flora and fauna veterinarians I’ve had the privilege of operating with up so far, have all emphasised the significance of getting a just right foundational wisdom within the home species. Or even in my 3 brief weeks at Seneca Park Zoo, I discovered this to be true – I used to be continuously touching on control of species like wolves, giraffes, elephants, and so forth. again to that basis of canine, cat, cow, and horse.
Ultimate Ideas:
I’m so extremely thankful to the fantastic staff at Seneca Park Zoo – Dr. Chis McKinney, technicians Robin and Tammy, and the entire keepers and curators I met. Everybody there used to be no longer best keen to show and percentage their wisdom/stories, but additionally extremely supportive and inspiring. I’ve left this revel in with such a lot new wisdom and plenty of unbelievable recollections that I can take with me as I proceed to navigate my adventure in zoo drugs.
Erin Guntrum, Elegance of 2025, is from Rochester, NY and gained her B.S. in each Animal Conduct, Ecology, & Conservation (ABEC) and Organic Science from Canisius Faculty (now Canisius College) in 2021. Whilst at Cornell, Erin has been a scholar technician on the Janet L. Swanson Natural world Clinic. She has additionally been a member of ZAWS, SAVMA, and the habits and therio golf equipment. Erin hopes to pursue a occupation in zoological drugs and take part in analysis associated with conservation, behavioral endocrinology, and theriogenology.